JORDAN TAKES FIRST MOUNTAIN COURSE WIN IN HISTORIC JUNIOR CLASSIC TT
ISLE OF MAN – Paul Jordan took his first Mountain Course win in the Historic Junior Classic TT, beating Dean Harrison by nine seconds, with Jamie Coward third. This historic achievement marked the day Paul Jordan takes historic win.
Paul Jordan claimed victory in Friday afternoon’s single lap Historic Junior Classic TT race. The Davies Motorsport Honda rider got the better of Dean Harrison (Craven Classic Racing/Ted Woof Honda) by nine seconds. It was a momentous occasion as Paul Jordan takes historic win, solidifying his position in the racing community. Harrison’s team-mate Jamie Coward completed the podium in third.
Cut to one lap due rain showers around the course after the preceding Historic Senior Classic TT race. Joe Yeardsley (Ken Rutter Racing Honda) was the first to reach Glen Helen. He had already overhauled John McGuinness MBE, who started at number one on the Steadplan Racing Honda, on the road.
However, Harrison had caught both, although he was only third quickest to the first timing point.
It was qualifying pace setter Michael Evans on the second Ken Rutter Racing machine who led. His advantage over Jordan was 7.5s with Harrison a further 1.5s back.
Coward, Yeardsley and Dan Sayle (John Chapman Racing Honda) completed the early top six. They were followed by Maurizio Bottalico (Atherstone Accident Repair/Team Venditti Honda), Adam McLean (Flitwick Motorcycles by Melbray London Honda), Davey Todd on the second Steadplan Racing machine and Harley Rushton (Chris Hughes Racing Honda).
At Ballaugh Bridge, Jordan hit the front and turned his deficit into a 0.8s advantage. He lapped some eight seconds quicker than Evans on the run from Glen Helen. As the race unfolded, spectators witnessed Paul Jordan take historic win in real-time.
Evans’ four-minute sector suggested he was in trouble. Indeed, he was given as a retirement soon afterwards.
That promoted everyone up the order, and at Ramsey, Jordan now led Harrison by 3.2s, with Coward 9.8s back in third. Fourth to sixth were now Yeardsley, Todd and Sayle. Just 2.4s separated Yeardsley and Todd, but Shaun Anderson was another retirement, coming to a halt on the DKW at Handley’s.
Jordan extended his lead by more than five seconds between Ramsey and the Bungalow. With just over six miles to go, he led Harrison by 8.494s. Coward looked secure in third.
However, it remained close between Yeardsley, Sayle, McLean and Todd.
Harrison was first to take the chequered flag with a speed of 103.179mph. However, it was Jordan who took the win, his first around the Mountain Course. A lap of 103.890mph gave him victory by 9.012s. It was here that the expressions of those present confirmed, Paul Jordan takes historic win.
Coward claimed the final podium position in third. Sayle grabbed fourth from Yeardsley and McLean, just 4.4s covering the three riders after 37 and ¾ miles. The top six all lapped at more than 100mph. The top ten were completed by Todd, Rushton, Bottalico and Alan Oversby (Ruthless Racing Honda).
Michael Sweeney (CSC Racing/IMSLTD Honda) finished just outside in 11th, a second ahead of Will Loder (Greeves). McGuinness took 13th.